In patients with Crohn’s disease (CD), surgical treatment of ileocolonic anastomosis strictures reduces risk of further surgery compared with endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD), researchers report in the August issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. However, endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) delays time until need for a second surgery; EBD should be therefore attempted first

The most reliable factors associated with symptom recurrence after anti-reflux surgery for patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are a primary complaint of extraesophageal reflux symptoms and lack preoperative response to acid-suppression therapy, researchers report in the May issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Approximately 10% of the US population has

Almost 20% of patients with liver damage from mushroom (Amanita) poisoning and peak levels of total bilirubin greater than 2 mg/dL require liver transplantation or die, researchers report in the May issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. The authors show that peak level of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) below 4000 IU/L identifies

Researchers have developed a mobile health index for remote monitoring of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) that could be incorporated into a smartphone app. These findings are reported in the December issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. The shift from symptom-oriented to prevention-oriented care delivery has accelerated the development of

Endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) provides no benefit to patients receiving self-expandable metallic stents (SEMS) for a biliary stricture caused by pancreatic cancer, researchers report in the June issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. The randomized controlled trial showed that ES procedure did not affect number of adverse events, SEMS patency, or

A gluten-free diet (GFD) can benefit asymptomatic patients who test positive for celiac disease based on detection of with endomysial antibodies (EMA), researchers report in the September issue of Gastroenterology. This finding supports screening of patients at risk for celiac disease. Celiac disease is a lifelong disorder caused by ingested

Estradiol increases body weight loss and satiation effects of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) in ovariectomized rats, according to the August issue of Gastroenterology. Approximately ~85% of bariatric surgery procedures are performed on women, but little is known about the effects of menopause or reproductive hormones, such as estrogen, on outcomes.

Twenty-seven percent of patients who are treated for ulcerative colitis by colectomy experience postoperative complications, according to a study in the November issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Most patients with ulcerative colitis are successfully treated with medication, yet some have severe colitis attacks that can be life threatening. Approximately

Liver fibrosis is reduced in patients with iron overload β-thalassemia and hepatitis C given the iron chelator deferasirox, according to Yves Deugnier et al. in the October issue of Gastroenterology. The liver is the main site of iron accumulation in patients with iron-overload disorders. Storage of excess iron in the

About the Author

Dr. Kristine Novak is the science editor for Gastroenterology and Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. She has worked as an editor at biomedical research journals and as a science writer for 15 years, covering advances in gastroenterology, hepatology, cancer, immunology, biotechnology, molecular genetics, and clinical trials. She has a PhD in cell biology and an interest in all areas of medical research.